Housing complex with portable housing units convertible into yachts

ABSTRACT

A housing unit which is portable, easily movable, such as via a forklift. Preferably, the housing unit is selectively moveable back and forth between a housing complex on land and the water. The housing complex is configured to be quickly connected to and disconnected from one or more utilities. Preferably, the housing unit is configured to be locked onto a haul using quick-connect locks, such that the housing unit effectively becomes a yacht on the water. The housing unit may be configured to be powered via basically any appropriate technology, whether conventional gas and electric, or via any type of green energy, such as geothermal, solar, rechargeable batteries, etc., or really any type of energy whether available now or in the future.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to housing complexes and more specifically relates to a housing complex that comprises portable housing units that are effectively convertible into yachts.

Currently, those people who are fortunate enough to own a yacht have the yacht on the water during warm months, but must have the yacht stored (i.e., such as in a warehouse) during the winter. Even those people who live in a location that is warm year-round do not typically live in their yacht. Instead, they have a place in which they live that is separate from their yacht, and they are forced to go back and forth to enjoy their yacht.

Furthermore, with regard to location and the cost of real estate, waterfront property is typically at a premium. Therefore, to both own a yacht and live on waterfront property can be cost prohibitive.

SUMMARY

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a housing complex that comprises portable yachts.

Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a portable housing unit that can be selectively placed on either land or water.

Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a housing complex that comprises portable housing units that can be selectively placed either on racks in the housing complex or on water.

Still another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a portable housing unit that can be selectively placed on either land, such as in a housing complex having racks, or on a haul that effectively converts the housing unit into a yacht.

Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a housing unit which is portable, specifically configured to be easily moved anywhere in the world. Specifically, the housing unit comprises structure, such as lifting rings, which are configured to be engaged by a forklift such that the forklift can be used to lift and transport the housing unit. Preferably, the housing unit is configured to be placed on a rack in a housing complex and thereafter be engaged with one or more quick connects which deliver one or more utilities to the housing unit. Preferably, the housing unit is also configured to be transported (i.e., by the forklift) from a rack in the housing complex to a haul on water, effectively converting the housing unit into a yacht. Preferably, the housing unit is configured to be locked onto the haul using quick-connect locks, and is configured to be connected to one or more utilities using quick connects while on the haul. The housing unit may be configured to be powered via basically any appropriate technology, whether conventional gas and electric, or via any type of green energy, such as geothermal, solar, rechargeable batteries, etc., or really any type of green energy whether available now or in the future.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable housing unit which is in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the housing unit being transported using a forklift;

FIG. 3 illustrates a housing complex which is also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and which is configured to receive portable housing units such as is shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a housing complex similar to that which is shown in FIG. 3, but also showing a section which is useable by a forklift, such as is shown in FIG. 2, to move housing units into and out of the housing complex;

FIG. 5 illustrates the housing unit of FIG. 1 disposed on a haul, effectively converting the housing unit into a yacht;

FIG. 6 illustrates one possible housing unit floor plan; and

FIG. 7 provides a block diagram showing a system which is also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable housing unit 10 which is in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The portable housing unit 10 is specifically configured to be easily moved anywhere in the world. To this end, the housing unit comprises lifting structure 12, such as lifting rings. As shown, preferably a plurality of lifting rings 12 are provided, distributed along the top 14 of the portable housing unit 10, in order to distribute the lifting forces that are required to lift and transport the portable housing unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, preferably the lifting rings 12 of the portable housing unit 10 are configured to be engaged by, for example, the forks 16 of a forklift 18, such that the forklift 18 can be used to lift and transport the portable housing unit 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates a housing complex 20 which is also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The housing complex 20 comprises racks 22, each of which is configured to receive a housing unit such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, preferably the housing complex comprises a plurality of floors of racks 22 (two floors are shown in FIG. 3, but more floors are possible), and each of the floors are accessible via stairs 24 as well as preferably one or more elevators (not shown). As shown, preferably the housing complex 20 comprises space 26 under the racks 22 for accommodating automobiles 28. The housing complex comprises a section that is useable by a forklift 18, such as is shown in FIG. 2, to move portable housing units 10 into and out of the racks 22 of the housing complex 20. Such a section 30 is readily shown in FIG. 4 which depicts a somewhat different housing complex design, but still one which includes racks for receiving portable housing units 10 such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Regardless of the exact layout and design of the housing complex 20, preferably the housing complex 20 comprises a steel superstructure and at least one utility connector 32 (see FIG. 7) which is configured to engage at least one utility connector 34 (see FIG. 7) on the portable housing unit 10. Preferably, the at least one utility connector 32, 34 of both the housing complex 20 and the portable housing unit 10 are configured to provide a quick connect/disconnect system which allows for the quick and easy connection of water, sewer, electric, gas, etc. (collectively indicated as being utilities 35 in FIG. 7) with regard to the portable housing unit 10 in the rack 22 of the housing complex 20. As such, preferably in a matter of minutes, a portable housing unit 10 is made fully operational with regard to utilities. The housing unit 10 may be configured to be powered via basically any appropriate technology (and not merely traditional gas and electric) such as geothermal, solar, rechargeable batteries, etc., or really any type of green energy whether available now or in the future.

Preferably, a waste line, when connected to the portable housing unit 10, allows for the discharge of sewage into the sanitary sewer of the housing complex 20. Preferably, a waterline runs along the steel superstructure of the housing complex 20 and into the portable housing unit 10 stored on a rack 22 of the housing complex 20. Preferably, an electric/power connection also runs along vertical supports of the housing complex 20. Preferably, the quick connects of the portable housing unit 10 are configured to disconnect quickly from the various systems, and allow for immediate retrieval of the portable housing unit 10 from a rack 22 of the housing complex 20. Preferably, grinder pumps are installed at the base of each rack 22 before ultimately tying into the sanitary system. As such, the portable housing unit 10 is configured to be placed on a rack 22 in the housing complex 20 and thereafter be engaged with one or more quick connects 32 which deliver one or more utilities to the housing unit 10.

As discussed, preferably the housing unit 10 is configured to be transported (such as by a forklift 18 as shown in FIG. 2) from a rack 22 in the housing complex 20 to a haul 36 on water 38, as shown in FIG. 5, effectively converting the portable housing unit 10 into a yacht 40. Preferably, the portable housing unit 10 is configured to be structurally locked onto the haul 36 using quick-connect locks 42, 44 (see FIG. 7) on the housing unit 10 and haul 36, respectively, such that the housing unit 10 is mechanically coupled to the haul 36 such that the housing unit 10 is stable when locked thereon.

Regarding the haul 36, the haul can take many forms, but preferably includes one or more motors 45 for propelling the haul 36 along water. For example, the haul can be a tritoon, pontoon, wood structure, steel or fiberglass haul, a barge, etc. Regardless of the exact form the haul takes, preferably the haul 36 is configured to not only mechanically connect to the housing unit using the quick locks 42, 44 (see FIG. 7) of the housing unit 10 and haul 36, respectively, but also includes one or more utility connectors 46 for connecting to the one or more utility connectors 34 of the portable housing unit 10 to effectively bring one or more utilities to the housing unit 10 when the housing unit 10 is on the haul 36. Preferably, the haul 36 effectively equates to a floatable power platform, comprising a gas tank, a generator, a fresh water tank and a waste container (collectively indicated as being utilities 47 in FIG. 7), all of which are quickly connectable to the housing unit to give the housing unit power, water, waste accommodation, etc., via the quick connect system described previously, as the housing unit sits on water and possibly even as the haul floats along a waterway. The housing unit and/or the haul can even be configured to be solar powered. Regardless, the housing unit 10 is preferably configured to be easily and quickly connected and disconnected from the haul 36, and easily transported by a forklift 18 such as is shown in FIG. 2, back to a rack 22 in a housing complex 20 such as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With regard to the possible amenities and layout of the internal space 58 of the housing unit 10, one possible layout 50 of the internal space 58 is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the housing unit 10 comprises one or more bedrooms, bathrooms, living room areas, kitchens, etc. Many other layouts (i.e., other than that which is shown in FIG. 5) are entirely possible while staying fully within the scope of the present invention. For example, the housing unit 10 could have a hot tub, a bar, etc.

Although a forklift 18 has been described as being the manner by which the housing unit 10 is transported back and forth between the housing complex 20 and the haul 36, other means can still be used while staying fully within the scope of the present invention. For example, a crane, lift or hoist can be used.

Regardless, preferably the housing units 10 in the housing complex 20 can be easily transported back and forth between the housing complex 10 and a haul 36 on a body of water 38 (see FIG. 5).

With regard to how the living arrangement is structured, one person can own a given housing unit while another person or entity owns the housing complex and rents out space (i.e., a rack) to the person who owns the housing unit. Each housing unit could be modular, comprising (for example) three parts which effectively fit together to form a single unit.

Preferably, the housing complex 20 includes one or more common areas 60 (see FIG. 7) comprising one or more emergency exits, stairs, elevators, as well as possibly luxury amenities such as a pool, spa, sauna, etc.

Although it has been described that the housing unit 10 can be moved back and forth between the housing complex 20 and a haul 36, the fact that the housing unit 10 can be easily and quickly disconnected and moved from its rack 22 in the housing complex 20 provides still other advantages. For example, assuming someone lived on the second floor of the housing complex and someone else moved out of the fourth floor of the housing complex, the person living on the second floor can have his or her housing unit moved from the rack on the second floor to the open rack on the fourth floor, without having to pack and unpack any belongings. Obviously, this is just one scenario. Another would be: Assuming there are multiple housing complexes at different locations (even different cities), and a person living in one housing complex wanted to move to another housing complex having an open rack, that person can have his or her housing unit moved to the other housing complex without having to pack and unpack any belongings.

While a single housing unit has been described, obviously a plurality of housing units can be provided each having the same interior layout or each having different interior layouts, and each being configured to be set in a living space, such as on a rack, in the housing complex and be quickly and easily connected to utilities. As such, an embodiment of the present invention effectively provides a housing complex which comprises a plurality of racks on which portable housing units sit. As discussed, preferably those housing units are effectively easily transformable into yachts via hauls to which the housing units connect, preferably not only structurally via quick locks, but also with regard to utilities via quick connects.

FIG. 7 provides a block diagram showing a system 80 which is also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and which comprises components described previously hereinabove. As shown, the system 80 includes a portable housing unit 10, a haul 36, and a housing complex 20.

The portable housing unit 10 comprises internal space 58, lifting structure 12, one or more utility connectors 34 and one or more structural connectors 42. The housing complex 20 comprises at least one rack 22, at least one common area 60, and one or more utility connectors 32. The haul 36 comprises one or more structural connectors 44, one or more utility connectors 46 and one or more motors 45.

The one or more utility connectors 34 of the portable housing unit 10 are configured to connect to the one or more utility connectors 32, 46 of both the housing complex 20 and the haul 36, respectively. The one or more structural connectors 42 of the portable housing unit 10 are configured to connect to the one or more structural connectors 44 of the haul 36. Although not shown, the housing complex 20 can also have one or more structural connectors which connect to the one or more structural connectors 42 of the portable housing unit 10. The lifting structure 12 of the portable housing unit 10 comprises structure, such as the lifting rings described previously, for facilitating porting the housing unit 10 back and forth (using a porting device, such as a forklift 18 as described previously) between the haul 36 and the housing complex 20. The internal space 58 of the portable housing unit 10 comprises living space such as at least one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc. as described previously.

The one or more common areas 60 of the housing complex 20 comprise things such as stairways, elevators, etc, as described previously. The one or more motors 45 of the haul 36 are configured to propel the haul 36 (e.g., with the portable housing unit 10 thereon, thereby becoming a yacht 40) on water.

As such, an embodiment of the present invention provides a housing complex comprising a plurality of portable housing units on racks, where the portable housing units are configured to be used as yachts when removed from the housing complex and engaged with hauls. The portable housing units are quickly and easily connectable to utilities both at the housing complex and on the haul.

Regarding possession of one of the housing units as described herein, possession can be obtained via a traditional arrangement, similar to the conventional purchase of a recreational vehicle (RV). Alternatively, possession of a housing unit can take place via a condominium arrangement where homeowners association fees are collected should a given purchaser device to purchase his or her own rack space, just as an example.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A housing complex for portable housing units, said housing complex comprising: a plurality of living spaces, each of said living spaces comprising a rack configured to receive one of said portable housing units, said racks of said housing complex being configured such that said portable housing units are selectively removable from, and placeable in, the racks of the housing complex, further comprising a multiple-level section aligned with the racks, said multiple-level section configured to accommodate a forklift to move the portable housing units into and out of the racks of the housing complex.
 2. A housing complex as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing complex comprises a plurality of floors of racks, wherein each floor of said housing complex comprises a plurality of racks.
 3. A housing complex as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing complex comprises space under the racks configured to receive automobiles.
 4. A housing complex as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one section which is configured such that the section is useable to move the portable housing units in and out of the racks of the housing complex.
 5. A housing complex as recited in claim 1, wherein each rack is configured to connect at least one utility to a portable housing unit.
 6. A portable housing unit configured for setting on a rack of a housing complex, said portable housing unit configured for connection to a haul, said portable housing unit comprising: at least one bedroom; at least one bathroom; and at least one lifting ring configured to facilitate lifting and moving of the portable housing unit.
 7. A portable housing unit as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least one connector configured to structurally secure the housing unit to the haul.
 8. A portable housing unit as recited in claim 6, further comprising at least one connector configured to connect to the housing unit at least utility at both the housing complex and the haul.
 9. A system comprising: a portable housing unit comprising a lifting structure, internal space, at least one structural connector, and at least one utility connector; a housing complex comprising a rack configured to receive the portable housing unit, at least one common area, and at least one utility connector; and a haul comprising at least one motor, at least one structural connector, and at least one utility connector, wherein the at least one utility connector of the portable housing unit is configured to connect to the at least one utility connector of both the housing complex and the haul, wherein the at least one structural connector of the portable housing unit is configured to connect to the at least one structural connector of the haul, wherein the lifting structure of the portable housing unit is configured to facilitate use of a forklift to port the portable housing unit directly from the rack of the housing complex to the haul and directly from the haul to the housing complex.
 10. A housing complex as recited in claim 1, wherein each portable housing unit comprises a top, and each portable housing unit comprises a plurality of lifting rings arranged along the top and configured to receive forks of the forklift.
 11. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the lifting structure a top, and wherein the lifting structure comprises a plurality of lifting rings arranged along the top and configured to receive forks of the forklift.
 12. A method comprising using a multiple-level section of a housing complex aligned with racks of the housing complex to move a portable housing unit into and out of the racks of the housing complex, said method further comprising using a forklift on the multiple-level section to move the portable housing units into and out of the racks of the housing complex. 